Inglewood United face an uphill task to qualify for the Night Series semi-finals following this evenings’ 4-3 loss to ECU Joondalup at Frank Drago Reserve.   The result leaves Inglewood requiring victory over Perth SC next weekend, and for results elsewhere go to in their favour in order to progress beyond the group stage.

The early signs were encouraging for Inglewood with Chok Dau firing into the bottom corner from the penalty spot for his third goal in as many games.   And it wasn’t too long before Hamza Hina doubled the lead following some tidy combination play in the attacking third of the park.

The momentum swung after the internal with Joe Knowles netting after just a few minutes play and Jakub Sklenar levelling midway through the half.   Knowles then converted past Alex Dunn from the spot to put Joondalup ahead for the first time with only minutes remaining in regulation time.

However, there was still enough time for a few more dramas.   Scott Blackmore appeared to have salvaged Inglewood a point when his powerful shot from the edge of the 18-yard box flashed past Scott Wallis.   But Knowles had the final say by completing his hat-trick from the spot and give Joondalup the win.

Match stats

Inglewood United 3 (Chok Dau 12, Hamza Hina 16, Scott Blackmore 91)
ECU Joondalup 4 (Joe Knowles 48, 86, 93, Jakub Sklenar 70)

Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Kevin Castle, Scott Blackmore, Mark Barnett, Jamie Murphy, Jason Barrera, Miki Vujacic (Sam Dweh 60), Anthony Bafobusha, Hamza Hina (John Lamai 77), Chok Dau, Adriano Jelanovic

ECU Joondalup: Scott Wallis, Andy Higgins, Shane Cassidy, Cian Hirrell, Luke Palmatter, Ollie Annis (Ronald Rixer 68), Ben Hinshelwood, Brad McDonald (Henry Durr 46), Luka De Lima, Joe Knowles, Richard Howles, Jakub Sklenar

Bookings: Knowles (30), Jelenovic (41), Blackmore (85), Palmatter (90), Castle (93), Bafobusha (93)

Dismissals: Nil